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Thompson Slams Republicans for Rejecting His Disaster Tax Relief Amendment

September 13, 2018

Denounces underlying Tax 2.0 bill

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) slammed Republicans on the House Committee on Ways and Means for unanimously rejecting his amendment to provide targeted tax relief for victims of natural disasters. The amendment was offered to H.R. 6760, the second iteration of Republican-led tax cut bill, during a markup in the committee. A statement from Thompson on the amendment is below.

"In the last year, our district has suffered both the most destructive and the largest fire in California history. The survivors of these fires and all natural disasters should not have to come begging to Congress to get tax relief as they work to recover and rebuild. Last year after hurricanes ravaged his Texas district, Chairman Brady offered a bill that provided targeted tax relief for the victims of disaster that struck his community. Today, he and the rest of the Republicans on the committee rejected my amendment that would provide the same disaster tax relief to all survivors of natural disasters. This is hypocrisy – we shouldn't be turning our backs on those who need help the most, we should be providing a path for them to get back on their feet."

"The tax plan to which my amendment was offered is reckless policy focused on gifting huge, unpaid for tax cuts for the richest one percent, while eliminating tax incentives for the middle class, and leaving low-income families in the dust. After adding more than $2.3 trillion to the debt, Republicans will use this an excuse to chip away at Medicare and Social Security. By making permanent the cap on State and Local Tax deductions, this bill makes it harder for local governments in states like California to pay for essential services like health care, infrastructure, and law enforcement. Once again, Republican leaders rushed this process with no bipartisan input or opportunity to hear from outside experts to pass this tax giveaway to the richest Americans just in time for the November elections. This is unacceptable, we should instead be working together on policy that will boost wages for everyone, build up our middle class, and help everyone get ahead."

You can click here to watch Thompson's remarks on his amendment. You can also click here to watch Thompson's remarks on the underlying bill.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force as well as the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.